The Sun'll Come Out...Like Any Minute Now
Hannah McDonnell
Friday, April 22, 2011Fri, Apr 22, 2011
Fling is over, which means it's time to pick up the pieces of your neon fanny packs and your dignity and rejoin the world. But hey! Life beyond the moonbounce doesn't have to be such a drag!
One of these days the sun is going to come out and stay put, at which point we hope you'll have a little pep in your step to get out and enjoy all the fun fair-weather things that Philly has to offer. To give you a little love pat in the right direction, we've compiled a list of things to do in the great urban outdoors.
FOOD & DRINKS
Go have a picnic! See Street's suggestions for where to park your pick-a-nick basket. If you're not making your own food, we suggest getting the goods from: DiBruno Bros (conveniently close to Rittenhouse Square), Milk & Honey (near Clark Park) or if you're feeling especially fancy, Garces Trading Company, whose new Picnics To-Go will be available in May.For some extra fun, buy some beer and brown bag it like a champ. The widest selection of build-your-own-six-packs will be found at the Foodery (don't be fooled by the name, this place is up to its ears in beers), but Best House can be your best friend when you don't feel like leaving the hood.
Or, if you want to eat outside but also want people to serve you, there are also about a jillion Philly restaurants with outdoor seating. May we suggest:
- Biba: if you still haven't used your Groupon for our favorite neighborhood wine bar, now's the time–their outdoor deck is finally open!
- Dock Street Brewery: a local classic. The only way their pizza and beer could taste any better is if you ate it outside under the West Philly stars.
- Continental Midtown: the food may be a bit pricey, but it's always fun to sip on a cocktail and wave at people on the street from their rooftop lounge.
- Carman's Country Kitchen: the inside of this kitschy kitchen is awesome enough, with a menu that changes every day depending on Carman's mood and a waitstaff of maybe one or two dudes, but it's the outdoor seating that kicks the ass of brunch tables everywhere. In the red pickup parked by the curb, the truck bed has been converted into two benches and a table, complete with colorful umbrella and lace table cloth.
- Beer Gardens: in the German tradition of Bier draußen trinken, check out the beer gardens at Silk City, Memphis Tap Room, and (coming soon!) the new Stephen Starr Bier Garten.
FESTIVALS & STREET FAIRS
If you didn't get a chance to check out the Philadelphia Book Festival or the Cherry Blossom Festival last week, fear not! The fun continues:PIFA Street Fair (April 30): to conclude the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), the Kimmel Center is shutting down Broad Street in a celebration of French art and culture with music, vendors, a world-renowned French theatrical troupe, plus a real live Ferris wheel! Who needs Paris, n'est-ce pas?
Spruce Hill May Fair in Clark Park (May 7): like many a Clark Park event, there will be local artisans and craftspeople selling their wares, plus music and some raffles. Our sources say there will also be a moon bounce.
Sorrento Cheese 9th Street Italian Market Festival (May 15-16): it's a mouthful, but it pretty much is what it sounds like. And it sounds delicious.
Rittenhouse Row Spring Festival (May 21): music, food, drinks, art, face paint – this giant block party has everything a festival should have, and, duh, it's free.
ART, MUSIC, SHOPPING, WANDERING AROUND LOOKING AT STUFF
And now for the miscellaneous category of all that other stuff you can (and should!) do out in the great wide world:Magic gardens: If you still haven't been to this magical mosaic oasis on South Street, now's the time. You might get lost in the maze for a while, but it's totally worth it. You'll be set on profile pics for months.
Flea Markets: starting in the late spring and going through the fall, PhilaFleaMarkets holds a ton of outdoor events all around the city. Check out this year's schedule here.
First Friday & Second Saturday: Most of you probably know about the Old City art crawl on the first Friday of every month, what about South Philly's Second Saturdays? Slightly off the (Penn) beaten path, they bring the food, wine, art and music to the bustling neighborhood of East Passyunk Ave.
Go to the zoo: We will always lament the end of the ZooKey, but we just can't stop looking at the animals. Have an adventure and go up in the hot air balloon!
Concerts at the Mann Center: This awesome Fairmount Park venue has all of its concerts outside, and the season is about to begin! There are performers of all genres, but the orchestra shows are super cheap and you can BYO your own picnic on the lawn.
